A crash on Highway 22 near Highway 905 left two people dead and several others injured on Wednesday afternoon. According to South Carolina Highway Patrol, a 2025 Peterbilt dump truck traveling west allegedly collided with a 2017 Chevrolet SUV that was stopped in traffic. The force of impact caused the Chevrolet to reportedly strike a 2021 Jeep SUV and a 2022 GMC pickup truck. The drivers of the Chevrolet and Jeep, identified as 49-year-old Earl Burnette and 35-year-old Flora Beltran-Gomez, both of Loris, were killed. The GMC driver was hospitalized, while the dump truck driver was not injured. Fire officials reported that the dump truck and one of the cars caught fire, and Burnette’s vehicle was pushed over a bridge railing into the water below. The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate.
When I hear about a crash like this, I immediately think about how complex the investigation will be. It will be critical to determine whether this was the result of driver behavior, equipment failure, or a combination of both.
Could the Dump Truck Driver Have Been Distracted or Fatigued?
Dump truck operators often work long shifts under demanding conditions. Investigators will likely review the driver’s work schedule and hours-of-service records to see whether fatigue played a role. Mobile device records and in-cab footage could help determine if distraction contributed to the driver’s inability to stop for traffic. Witness accounts describing the truck’s movements before impact may also be important in assessing whether the driver was inattentive or impaired in some way.
Was a Mechanical Failure Involved?
Because the crash resulted from the dump truck’s failure to stop in time, it’s also important to consider whether a brake or tire problem contributed. A mechanical inspection should carefully evaluate the condition of the braking system, tires, and steering components. Maintenance logs may reveal whether known issues were ignored or not properly repaired, while a defect in a part itself could point to a potential product liability issue.
What Evidence Should Be Collected?
The dump truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) may provide critical details about speed, throttle position, and brake application in the seconds before the collision. Roadway evidence such as skid marks, debris distribution, and vehicle resting positions can help reconstruct how the crash unfolded. Video from nearby surveillance cameras or dashcams could also confirm whether the dump truck slowed before striking stopped traffic.
Why a Thorough Investigation Is Critical
Crashes like this can be difficult to work through due to the amount of vehicles involved. However, since it resulted in multiple injuries and deaths, it’s crucial that investigators look closely at both the dump truck driver’s condition and the truck’s mechanical state to understand why it failed to stop. Only through a thorough review can accountability be determined and the facts made clear for those affected by the crash.
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